2011 Mercedes-Benz CL550 Problems & Complaints

Average47% fewer complaints than a typical year of the CL550 at the same age

Owners have filed 5 complaints about the 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL550 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is about average for the CL550 at the same age. The most reported problem area is the engine & cooling (2 complaints, typically around 39,000 miles). One recall covers this model year.

5complaints
1recalls
0crashes
2fires
0injuries
0deaths

Most common 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL550 problems

  • Engine & cooling~39,000 miles
    240%
  • Other / not specified
    240%
  • Transmission & drivetrain
    120%
  • Fuel & propulsion system
    120%
  • Electrical system
    120%

Share of the 5 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Mercedes-Benz CL550 complaints by model year

200720082011775
Owner complaints per model year, Mercedes-Benz CL550. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best CL550 years: 2011. Compare all years →

2011 Mercedes-Benz CL550 recalls (1)

Fuel system, gasoline

NHTSA recall 12V-557 · Dec 3, 2012 · 5,800 vehicles

Mercedes-Benz is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 S400, S550, S550 4Matic, S63 AMG, C300, C300 4Matic, E350, GLK350, GLK350 4Matic, CL550 4Matic, and CL63 AMG vehicles manufactured from April 18, 2011, through July 12, 2011.

Remedy: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel filter, free of charge. The recall campaign is expected to begin in February 2013. Owners may contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL550:

Loss of rear lighting assembly

NHTSA investigation EA13008 · opened Dec 20, 2013 · closed May 12, 2014 · led to recall 14V-177

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of loss of rear lighting in model year (MY) 2008-2011 Mercedes Benz C-Class vehicles.Complainants alleged that one or both rear lighting assemblies fail to illuminate (i.e., all lights housed within the assembly extinguish, including the stop, tail, and turn signal functions) or illuminate dimly.In some reports,…

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL550 a good car?

Based on 5 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 CL550 rates average: 47% fewer complaints than a typical year of the CL550 at the same age. It is one of the best CL550 years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL550?

The engine & cooling — 2 complaints, 40% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (1) and fuel & propulsion system (1).

How many recalls does the 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL550 have?

There is 1 recall for the 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL550, the most recent from December 3, 2012 (fuel system, gasoline). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Mercedes-Benz CL550?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2011. See the full Mercedes-Benz CL550 years comparison.

At what mileage do 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL550 problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 39,000 miles; 100% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.